Steering too tight
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: AR/KY
Steering too tight
Well the first repair went well, instructions to brake and alignment business were to check the brakes to be sure of wear and safety, first call was, it needs pads and the rotors turned, next call was, you have a bad ball joint, I don't compromise on safety, so do it, that killed a $500 bill. The instructions after repair, were don't do any emergency stops for about 200 miles and the steering will be stiff for a bit, with the installation of the ball joint.
Now 400 miles stop and go in home area and 200 more on the road and steering is still stiff and will not re-center itself after turning for curve or intersection, follows ruts in worn out roadway to whatever direction they are going. I believe its time for a really experienced alignment and suspension expert, and there isn't one here. Hope to return to same shop, and give instructions for correct repair. In your experience what should I instruct the mechanic to accomplish.
Now 400 miles stop and go in home area and 200 more on the road and steering is still stiff and will not re-center itself after turning for curve or intersection, follows ruts in worn out roadway to whatever direction they are going. I believe its time for a really experienced alignment and suspension expert, and there isn't one here. Hope to return to same shop, and give instructions for correct repair. In your experience what should I instruct the mechanic to accomplish.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 120
Here is some of my history. I pulled it from another thread.
I am currently dealing with a similar situation with my steering not returning to center.
Prior to my new ball joints (moog), the X seemed to drive pretty good on the fwy. I had recently added V/B mod springs new shocks and tires. Since I did so much work I took it to an alignment shop and they said I need new everything in my front end.
So I added ....
New ball joints upper and lower
New front end links left and right
New steering link
and one more link I can't remember what its called.
After I added the ball joints the steering was not good on the fwy and it was all over the road it did not and does not return to center. This was causing me to steer the X to keep it centered.
The alignment shop told me the ball joints are tight and need to break in.
Prior to the ball joints it seem good and I can see that the ball joints are somewhat breaking in....
I lowered the air in my tires and I removed the steering dampener. These have helped the drive but not fully. I feel that my steering box is too tight from the previous owner and is not returning to center because of this.
My theory...Since my old ball joints were no good the tight steering box compensated for this which made the drive ok. But with good and tight ball joints the steering box may now be too tight on it causing it to not return to center. I am going to back it off a bit and hope that it has not been overtightened and now no good which may have me purchasing a redhead steering box.
and then ....
I just backed off the steering box by about a 1/4 turn (loosened it) and it has helped the constant steer I had to do while I was on the fwy.
It didn't completely remove the issue with it not returning to center but it drives much better.
r
I also removed the tie rods from the wheels to make sure I didn't have any binding from my ball joints and they rotated with little effort. This tells me they are loosening up.
I also want to toe-in the front wheels a bit because mine look a bit toe'd out.
Tim M
I am currently dealing with a similar situation with my steering not returning to center.
Prior to my new ball joints (moog), the X seemed to drive pretty good on the fwy. I had recently added V/B mod springs new shocks and tires. Since I did so much work I took it to an alignment shop and they said I need new everything in my front end.
So I added ....
New ball joints upper and lower
New front end links left and right
New steering link
and one more link I can't remember what its called.
After I added the ball joints the steering was not good on the fwy and it was all over the road it did not and does not return to center. This was causing me to steer the X to keep it centered.
The alignment shop told me the ball joints are tight and need to break in.
Prior to the ball joints it seem good and I can see that the ball joints are somewhat breaking in....
I lowered the air in my tires and I removed the steering dampener. These have helped the drive but not fully. I feel that my steering box is too tight from the previous owner and is not returning to center because of this.
My theory...Since my old ball joints were no good the tight steering box compensated for this which made the drive ok. But with good and tight ball joints the steering box may now be too tight on it causing it to not return to center. I am going to back it off a bit and hope that it has not been overtightened and now no good which may have me purchasing a redhead steering box.
and then ....
I just backed off the steering box by about a 1/4 turn (loosened it) and it has helped the constant steer I had to do while I was on the fwy.
It didn't completely remove the issue with it not returning to center but it drives much better.
r
I also removed the tie rods from the wheels to make sure I didn't have any binding from my ball joints and they rotated with little effort. This tells me they are loosening up.
I also want to toe-in the front wheels a bit because mine look a bit toe'd out.
Tim M
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jtexfisher
1968-Present E-Series Van/Cutaway/Chassis
13
Oct 7, 2019 11:38 PM
Bayer-Z28
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
15
May 7, 2010 09:47 PM
